Page 80 of Fostering Chemistry
Even when the elevator opened directly into the family condo, and it looked like a penthouse in a five-star hotel. Even when Aaron escorted me to a suite that had a bedroom, a small living room, and a huge bathroom.
Everything was marble, glass, or gleaming bronze. There was an actual makeup table in the bathroom, and I sat there while I fixed my hair, half up and half down like a picture Tori had sent me.
I took my time with my makeup. Then the sparkling earrings that Hailey had lent me. Then the high-heeled strappy shoes I’d bought at a boutique a few days ago. And then… the dress.
It felt so damn good when the smooth, shimmery fabric dropped down my body. It clung to me in a good way, and when I struck a pose in front of the mirror, my leg poked out of the slit. The high heels, while not super comfortable to walk in, sure made my legs look better.
I hoped I’d knock Aaron’s socks off when he saw me.
And maybe I did, because when I entered the living room, he turned from the fireplace… and his mouth literally dropped open.
“Jesus, Mia.” He looked stunned. “You look… holy shit.”
He was frozen for another ten seconds before he slowly moved toward me. “This is the understatement of the year, but… wow. You’re stunning.”
His black tux fit as if he had a team of tailors in the other room. The black made his eyes look darker, except for the gold flecks. His short beard was neatly trimmed, and his hair was slicked back.
Aaron looked like a million dollars—and then some.
He walked toward me as if in a trance. Those tawny eyes swept up and down my body, but I didn’t mind. I’d done that a lot, looking in the full-length mirror in the bathroom.
The dress was definitely the most beautiful thing I’d ever worn. If it weren’t for the color, I’d want to get married in it. It was this gorgeous rust-red color, kind of like a mix between burnt orange and deep rose, and it shouldn’t have worked with the red highlights in my hair, but somehow it did.
Tori had called the color sienna, and Hailey had called it Marsala. Whatever it was, I loved wearing it. The fabric was super light and soft, kind of chiffon-y, so it moved with me when I walked. It somehow felt like it floated around me while at the same time clinging to me.
The top was held up by thin spaghetti straps. The neckline dipped just enough to be a little flirty without making me worry about anything, er, popping out. The silky fabric hugged my waist in all the right places, giving me an hourglass shape I hadn’t even been aware of. Probably it didn’t exist in less flattering clothes.
The sleeves were small, and hung teasingly off my shoulders, fluttering when I walked. They didn’t cover much, but they made me feel pretty and feminine.
But the high slit was more femme fatale than feminine. Almost the whole length of my leg slipped out when I walked, but when I stood still, my legs together, the two sides of the fabric came together. That pleased me, because I didn’t want to meet Aaron’s grandparents with my leg sticking out, but I couldn’t help loving how the fabric parted when I moved.
Evidently, Aaron liked that too, because he didn’t even blink as I walked toward him. “You look… I don’t even have the words for it.” He shook his head, as if trying to snap himself out of it. “Let’s just say that I want to invent a time machine so that I can have you at my side at every single family event I’ve ever been to.”
I laughed softly. “Weren’t you seven when you joined the family? That’s a little young to bring a date.”
“I don’t care,” Aaron said, the look on his face sending delicious shivers up my spine. Then he shook his head again, to clear it. “I’m so glad you’re going to be on my arm tonight, but I also want you to have a nice time. A woman who looks like you do deserves an amazing evening out.”
He reached my side and took my hand, squeezing it. “If at any time my family gets to be too much, just squeeze my hand like this, okay? It’s really important to me that you have a nice evening.”
“I’m sure I will.”
“I know I will,” he said, his eyes on the scooped neckline of my dress. “But I’m serious. If you’re tired, or nervous, or if anyone’s questions make you nervous, or if Cousin Dan flirts with you, just squeeze my hand.” He frowned slightly. “Especiallyif Cousin Dan flirts with you.”
I laughed lightly and kept hold of his hand. I hoped I enjoyed the evening, because I sensed he’d feel bad if I didn’t. But I also hoped I enjoyed it for my sake, too. We were in a rich, fancy condo, and heading to an even richer, fancier reception. My dress made me feel like a princess, and dammit, I wanted to have a magical evening.
Soon, we’d be back at the house. Back to homework and tests and stress. And back to two men who had both made me feel crappy the last time we’d talked. And yes, after a life spent in and out of various foster homes, I was probably more sensitive to rejection than most, but still, it stung. At the movie night withCody and then babysitting with Diego, I’d been having fun, and I’d thought they had been, too. Except then it ended badly.
But I was here tonight with a gorgeous and kind man, and I was determined to enjoy the hell out of it.
22
AARON
“This is Mia,”I said, again and again. “She goes to my school. She’s studying digital communications. Yes, her dress is gorgeous.” I said those things over and over as we talked to my siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
I felt pride that she was here with me every time someone commented on her dress. It fit her like a second skin and took her frombeautifultoholy shit, she’s fucking gorgeous.
And she was here withme.
